Tory Anti-Union Laws set to be even more regressive than feared

The announcement today of more details of the Anti-Union laws makes it clear that the legislation, unless we can stop it, is going to be worse than previously feared.

We must organise ourselves to fight these laws and prepare our response to them

We must push our leaderships into action

We have a range of speakers from the movement to kick start a discussion on organising and resisting.

I hope to see you there.

Phil Clarke

Secretary Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council

Updated list of attacks planned on our movement

A 50% turnout threshold on all ballots

An additional threshold on transport, health, education, fire, energy and other workers where 40% of those issued with a ballot paper must vote yes. Effectively making not voting a no vote

Timeouts of four months on ballots to make unions re-ballot under the above thresholds repeatedly if a dispute is protracted.

The details of strike patterns to be included on the ballot papers so employers can prepare weeks in advance

Two weeks’ notice of a strike to be given to employers

Allowing agency staff to be used to break strikes with a least 2 weeks preparation to hire them

Criminalise effective picketing, require a union official to be responsible for each picket only having 6 people on and allow unions to be fined for not auditing pickets and protests.

Further restrictions on union’s political funds

Limiting the amount of time public sector employees can spend on union work. Effectively removing the ability of union branches to organise its officers in a way democratically decided upon by members.

There is no doubt the government will also continue to encourage the remove payment at source or check off arrangements where union subs are taken out as part of the member’s pay packet.

How to get involved

Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.

Affiliated unions

Who are we and what do we do?

Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.

Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches oftrade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.

Aims and objectives

> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.

> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever. The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.